Image via Complex Original
A PE, or Player Edition, sneaker has many useful qualities, not the least of which to help harried equipment managers and locker room attendants differentiate between a dozen or so pairs of very similar sneakers. But that's not really why a player would want a PE. The foremost reason is that a PE makes a player feel special, that the company whose sneakers he wears looks out for him, that he is worthy of something more than just what any kid can buy at the local Foot Locker.
For Michael Jordan, especially during his early days with the Chicago Bulls, a PE was redundant. He had his own shoe that already had his own logo (first the ball and wings, later the Jumpman) on it. There was no mistaking his shoes for anyone else's. But in 1990, lo and behold, his Air Jordan Vs had a "23" embroidered on the heels. And once he returned from his first "retirement," with other players in the league wearing Air Jordans (with his blessing, of course), he had all the more reason to make his Air Jordans his own. Here are Michael Jordan's Best Air Jordan PEs.
RELATED: The Complete History of Air Jordanx I-XX8
RELATED: The 100 Best Air Jordans of All Time
Air Jordan XI Concord "45"
Year Worn: 1995
The patent leather XIs had much of their mystique created in the 72-win 1995-96 NBA season, but they debuted the previous year as Michael Jordan uncharacteristically struggled against the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference semis. Want to tell whether a sample (or game-worn) pair is from those playoffs? A 45 on the back is a sure sign.
Air Jordan XI Low "Championship Parade" PE
Year Worn: 1996
And you thought no such thing existed. No telling how many of these actually exist but it's a safe bet there are only a few, if that. A low top "Concord" XI would be a welcome addition to anyone's collection but having the actual pair that Michael wore to the Championship Parade in 1996, that's on another level.
Air Jordan IX Cleats
Year Worn: 1994
In 1994, MJ decided to try his hand at something different and go back to his love for baseball. Of course, Nike wasn't about to let him do it in someone else's shoes. Jordan was laced with a variety of different cleated versions of the Air Jordan IX, which would later be retroed, but the TPU version is one that he seldom wore and is even harder to find today. Rumor has it that you can count the number of these that were made on a single hand.
Air Jordan XI Space Jam "45"
Year Worn: 1995
This point has been made before (er, by us), but the "Space Jams" shouldn't really be called the Space Jams at all. Michael Jordan didn't debut them in the movie, he debuted them in the 1995 NBA Playoffs against the Orlando Magic. So by all rights they should be called the "Nick Andersons," and they should definitely have a "45" on the heels, as Mike never wore them while wearing 23. Well, except in the movie. OK, the name can stay.
Air Jordan X Charcoal "45"
Year Worn: 1995
Seeing that most people associate the XIs with 1996 (better memories), the shoe most associated with Mike's 1995 comeback remains the Air Jordan XI. And while the "Chicagos" were the most coveted, these basic charcoal grey road models with the 4-5 on the ankles are still our favorites. Muggsy probably got a real good look.
Air Jordan VI Carmine "23"
Year Worn: 1991
Carmine Air Jordan VIs were crazy as it is, but Mike's were even crazier. Some of his had a small "23" screened on one of the Carmine panels, a tiny personalized touch that meant so much. Beyond grail status.
Air Jordan XVII Low "23"
Year Worn: 2001
Just because Michael Jordan was no longer a Bull didn't mean he had to wear the same sneakers you could buy in stores. His XVII lows had a slightly darker blue than the University Blue GRs, along with a small copper "23" embroidered on them. Elegant, as befitting someone who was pushing 40.
Air Jordan V White/Black/Fire Red "23"
Year Worn: 1990
Was this the first "real" Air Jordan PE? It could have been. Well, technically Mike's original Air Jordans were a PE for five months from November of 1984 until April of 1985 when they finally released to the public, but these Fire Red Vs with the 23 embroidered on the side fit the definition a little better. As the Jumpman didn't make it clear enough whose sneakers these were.
Air Jordan X Chicago "45"
Year Worn: 1995
For his long-awaited (and oft-debated) return to the hardwood, Michael Jordan wore a new sneaker and a new number. Donning 45 in honor of his older brother Larry (who'd worn the number in high school), his Air Jordan Xs were also blessed with the embroidered digits. Hey, if Harold Miner could get his number on his Jordans, best believe Mike could.
Air Jordan XI Low "Black/Red"
Year Worn: 1996
MJ didn't opt to wear Air Jordan Lows very often but surprisingly, in the 1996 NBA Finals, he laced up the beloved Black and Red Air Jordan XI in a Low version for a very short amount of time. These are one of his best PEs. Well, except for Seattle fans, who are still having flashbacks to Jordan dismantling the Sonics.
Air Jordan V Black/Silver "23"
Year Worn: 1990
These would eventually release, but without the coveted "Nike Air" on the back, and with the embroidered "23" in a different (and shadowed) font. Somehow these looked better than the "plain" version that released, but maybe that's just because they were unobtainable.
Air Jordan III True Blue "Wizards"
Year Worn: 2001
Michael Jordan's coemback with the Wizards wasn't just noteable from a basketball perspective, but for his wearing styles that he hadn't worn for years. The IIIs actually extended back decades, last being seen on MJ's feet in 1988. The original "True Blue" colorway was Wizards-friendly already, but with the addition of a copper Jumpman they were perfect.